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OPERATION
Preparation for Cutting
Proper Grip on Handles.
Refer to Safety Section for appropriate Safety Equipment.
1. Wear non-slip gloves for maximum grip and protection.
WARNING: Hold the saw firmly with both hands.
Always keep your LEFT HAND on the front handlebar
and your RIGHT HAND on the rear (throttle) handle
as shown in Fig. 41, so that your body is to the left
of the chain line. Never use a cross-handed grip, or
any stance which would place your body or arm
across the chain line. Left-handers should follow
these instructions too.
2. Maintain a proper grip
(B, Fig. 42) on the saw whenever the
engine is running. The fingers should encircle the handlebar
and the thumb is wrapped under the handlebar. This grip is
least likely to be broken (by a kickback or other sudden
reaction of the saw). Any grip in which the thumb and fingers
are on the same side of the handle
(C), is dangerous because
a slight kick of the saw can cause loss of control.
WARNING:
Proper Cutting Stance (Fig. 43)
- Weight should be balanced on both feet - feet
on solid ground.
- Keep arm with elbow locked in a "straight arm"
position (D) to withstand any kickback force.
- Your body should always be to the left of the chain
line (E).
- Thumb on underside of handlebar (F).
Basic Cutting Procedure
Practice cutting a few small logs using the following technique to
get the "feel" of using your saw before you begin a major sawing
operation.
1. Take the proper stance in front of the wood with the saw
idling.
2. Accelerate the engine to full throttle just before entering the cut
by squeezing the throttle trigger.
3. Begin cutting with the saw against the log.
4. Keep the engine at full throttle the entire time you are cutting.
5. Allow the chain to cut for you; exert only light downward
pressure. If you force the cut, damage to the bar, chain, or
engine can result.
6. Release the throttle trigger as soon as the cut is completed,
allowing the engine to idle.
If you run the saw at full throttle
without a cutting load, unnecessary wear or damage can
occur to the chain, bar, and engine.
7. Do not put pressure on the saw at the end of the cut.
Work Area Precautions
WARNING: Cut only wood or materials made from
wood. Do not cut metal, plastics, masonry, or non-
wood building materials.
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